work stress

DH is SO stressed lately with work - it seems like it just never ends... after a 9 hr day he winds up working at home and at least one weekend day every weekend... I feel so helpless. All I can do is sit back and watch him get buried... He never has a full night off or complete 2-day weekend. I just don't know what to do.... and we snap at each other sometimes because of the stress. What's good is that we usually are very aware of when we're just arguing because of work stress so we're able to get passed it and realize it's work making us upset and not each other....

Anyone else in this situation??? How can I help him... ???

Re: work stress

As someone who has a very stressful job and often has to work long hours, I can totally relate to your husband. My DH also works long hours AND is in school PT on top of that. I understand the stress.

The #1 thing you can do is not try to make him feel guilty about or get angry at him for having to work. I'm not saying it's not normal to feel upset about it, but acknowledge that it's not his fault and bothers him, too.

If you do get a minute, see if you can sit down together and work out a plan to keep things happy even though they are stressful. I know when DH is working more than I am, I feel annoyed sometimes that I'm doing so much more around the house and stuff -- but I have to take a step back and realize that these things do balance themselves out. He's working hard and so I am...

It's tough.

Re: work stress

That's totally it!

I get upset that he works so much and because I don't work as much he gets mad at me because I have free time. I also work full time and I've picked up as much responsibilities around the house as I can ( I work long hrs with an hr commute each way) so I'm usually second home so he takes care of our pets, but otherwise I chip in as much as I can. Sometimes its just so hard... but I get what you are saying. It's not helping if I get angry about it.

Message edited 12/7/2007 9:44:29 AM.